President of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) Agnelo Rodrigues slammed the fisheries department for not acting against trawlers from Karnataka for bull trawling in the territorial waters of Goa. GRE stated that the fisheries department in 2016 and the central government in 2017, had banned the use of bull trawling in the territorial waters and Indian Exclusive Zone (EEZ). However, over hundred trawlers from Karnataka are using the banned destructive gears without the fear of law or or Goa government, GRE further stated. “If this continues, then there could be law and order situation in the state and only the state government will be responsible for any untoward incident,” Rodrigues said adding that two trawlers from Malpe, Karnataka, were caught in South Goa. GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes has also demanded that the illegal boats from Malpe should be impounded. He has appealed to the fisheries minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues to immediately direct the fisheries department to strictly implement the law on bull trawling and other violations. GRE has further warned the department that if the Karnataka boats are let free without taking any strict action, then the next time the traditional fishermen will take the law in their hands.
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